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A British explorer is attempting the first ever solo and unassisted traverse of Mongolia – an expedition that will involve walking 1,700 miles across the Eastern Mongolian Steppe, the Gobi Desert and the Altai mountain range.
Ripley Davenport, 39, will be hauling more than 200kg of equipment and provisions in a specially designed trailer behind him throughout the voyage.
“Mongolia will throw extreme weather, sub zero and vast temperature differences, icy winds, regular sand storms and isolation and maybe even a few grey wolves to shadow my route,” says Ripley. Not that he sees this as a bad thing: “The idea of plunging deep inside the most sparsely populated independent country in the world to do what no one else has ever done sounds right up my alley.”
But it’s not just the physical challenge that has inspired him. “Since the fall of communism in Mongolia in the 1990s the number of street children has increased dramatically. Children as young as five live in the pipe maintenance caverns beneath Ulaanbaatar, the capital, as it’s the only place they can find warmth and shelter. These children are lost or abandoned by families who have migrated to the city in search of jobs,” Ripley explains.
“I’ve always held on to a passionate desire to make a difference in the lives of children,” he continues. “So many suffer as a result of war, disaster, extreme poverty, all forms of violence and exploitation, HIV and AIDS. So for this expedition I am supporting and raising awareness for ShelterBox, UNICEF UK and Hope and Homes for Children.”
Ripley sets off in April and hopes to complete the expedition within 90 days. You can find out more and follow his progress on the expedition website: www.mongolia2010.com.
If you’re a slightly lesser mortal but are tempted by Mongolia, check out Carl Robinson’s top 10 adventures there, and if you want a reason to go to the Altai Mountains, Tim Moss has got seven.
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